I mentioned in the past that I was running a marathon. I wanted to do this because I was getting fat and unsexy as well as I wanted to check it off my life-goal-list. The Napa Marathon is a month away and here is how I lost all that weight.

Noah before

Eat Breakfast > This gives you the fuel to start your day. It also helps you snack less until lunch. I prefer Granola, Oatmeal with raisins, Cranberry Almond Crunch, Special K with strawberries & Blueberry Morning.

Goals > My end goal is to run 26.2 miles. That helps me keep on track for so many things. I realize if I cheat it only hurts myself. As well, it helps me stay focused daily on WHY it is important to be eating healthy.

Water > Jenn’s mom said soda was bad so I stopped drinking it. I am not sure if this really helps but I drink water like a camel. I think it does fill me up so I don’t eat as much but I go to the bathroom every 20 minutes.

Rewards > I try just on Saturday to splurge in terms of food and drinking. I don’t go crazy but I will add cheese to my burrito or possibly have a beer.

Puking > Just kidding:P

Alcohol > I am not trying to be metrosexual but when I go out to bars I consider how one beer is 130 calories and say “nay”. Really empty and pointless. I used to drink socially during the week but now I save it until Friday/Saturday and even then limit my intake. This really saves me a ton of calories that I did not think about.

26 responses to “How I lost 18 pounds in 2 Months”

Noah,
Good luck with the marathon. What’s the longest run that you have trained so far? I’m working on a marathon also. My plan is to run a half-marathon in April and full one at the end of summer or fall. This half marathon (http://robiecreek.com) in considered “the hardest in the northwest”.

I’m going with the Jeff Galloway training program, but I’ve increased the intensity as well as added incline running as I’ll need that for the half-marathon that’s going straight up the mountain.

Water actually helps with your metabolism. It is one of the required ingredients in the process of breaking down fat molecules. So when you are partially dehydrated (which almost every one is) your body isn’t as efficient as it could be.

I dug that one out of the cob webs of things I learned in a college class.

Noah, thats awesome! I need to find some athletic enterprise to train for. Did you get one of those nike+ipod gadgets to track your performance? I’ve heard they’re neat, but if nike shoes don’t like your feet then its bad news for your blisters, etc.

Hey great job! As a (somewhat) competitive marathoner, but relatively new to the race, I can tell you that finishing a marathon is one of the most rewarding experiences you will ever have. I see that you posted about long runs from 10-17 miles. I’d recommend getting at least one 20 mile run in. For my last marathon I did 3, and I really felt the benefits of it (I only did 1 for my first marathon). Best of luck to you!

I was at 225 the beginning of March of last year. (6″ tall) Started running on a treadmill, picking it up until I could do 5 miles at 7 miles/hour. After working out during the week I only ate turkey sandwiches. I used mayo and all that stuff, but no fries or any other crap. Turkey sandwiches, pickles and water after 6pm or so. I still went out and drank my beer, but the weight kept on coming off. I went down to around 190 right before my sister’s wedding in June of that year.

When my gf started complaining that I was getting too small, I started lifting more weights, and keeping my cardio to about 30 minutes keeping my heart rate at 125 (I’m 26)

Now I back up to 205 but that is because of muscle gain. Whey protein has been doing wonders.

Be persistent with what you are doing and you will reach your goal.

I’m too much of a pansy to put myself through a marathon, so I respect anyone that can do that.

Long-distance running is my nemesis, but I work with a lot of marathoners and ultramarathoners. Here are a few tips:

1. Get started now doing pre-run Tibialis Anterior activation exercises, as well as conditioning a la Mark Verstegen of AZ-based Athletic Performance fame. This will prevent shin splints. Ouch.

2. Weigh yourself before and after running, being sure to subtract all liquid consumed during the run. This will help you plan hydration without overhydrating and cramping. To help prevent cramps, also consider taking small potassium supplements (I can’t eat bananas while running).

3. Stretch your TFL (Tensor Facia Lata) after training. This is a tear-drop-like muscle that can be felt to the side of your hip flexor. Maintain flexibility with post-stretching and this will increase your stride, thus decreasing the amount of work you need to do to cover 26.2 miles.

4. Begin experimenting with minor carbohydrate restriction two days prior to your longest run. Carbo load in the 12 hours or so prior, being sure to consume plenty of water.

FYI, using cycling’s equivalent to some of these, I was able to bike a century (100 miles) in Petaluma with NO training. In fact, it was my first time on a road bike in over 10 years. Don’t underestimate proper mechanics, nutrition, and stretching. Pick a lot of brains.

Good luck with training, and be sure to lose bodyfat and not too much muscle!

It really does come down to making small changes that you can continue long term. So many try to make huge changes that they will never be able to maintain over a long period of time and thus set themselves up for failure.

Once upon a time I was as ripped as you are now. It is time to get back there. Hopefully at age 37 it’s still possible to get back to my former self…

I am down a few pounds by eliminating some unnecessary food and drink intake. Now, it’s simply a matter of creating some good exercise habits rather than the lazy, sit in front of my computer working on biz habits that I currently have.

HI, I have lost 17 pounds in 2 months so far. The biggest thing I have changed is drinking water..I use to drink alot of sodas and I have laid off them and now I drink water. Just by doing that I have lost 17 pounds. Now, it’s time for me to start really watching what I eat b/c I want to lose 40 more pounds..If you put your mind to it anything is possible 🙂 I will let you know how it all goes!